How to Make Teriyaki Salmon Bento

A Japanese-style delight with a sweet and savory flavor that stimulates the appetite!

Teriyaki made with soy sauce and sugar is a classic bento. The salmon, cooked until fragrant and glossy, is especially delicious when topped over rice so the sauce drips down and flavors the grains. For the sides, including two dishes with contrasting flavors, one with mustard and one with sesame, keeps the bento interesting and prevents flavor fatigue.

fresh salmon – 1 fillet (100 g / 3.5 oz.)
sake (cooking sake) –  1 Tbsp
Kikkoman Soy Sauce – 2/3 Tbsp
sugar – 1/2 Tbsp
cooking oil – 1 tsp

yellow bell pepper – 1/4 piece (40 g / 1.4 oz.)
whole grain mustard –  1/2 tsp
Kikkoman Soy Sauce – 1/3 tsp
olive oil –  1 tsp

spinach– 40 g (1.4 oz.)
shimeji mushrooms – 20 g (0.7 oz.)
Kikkoman Soy Sauce – 1 tsp
sugar – a pinch
roasted sesame seeds – a small amount

cooked rice – 150 g (5.3 oz.)
frozen edamame – 3 beans

Calories and Cooking Time

Prepare the Bento Dishes

1. 1Chop the bell pepper into bite-sized pieces. Cut the spinach into 3 cm (1.2 in.) lengths. Trim the base off the shimeji mushrooms and separate them.

1. 2Add water to a fry pan and bring it to a boil. Add the shimeji and blanch for 1 minute. Then add the spinach and blanch for about 30 seconds. Drain well and let cool.

1. 3Heat oil in a fry pan, then add the salmon and bell peppers. Once the bell peppers have browned on both sides, remove them from the pan and let them cool. Cook the salmon for about 2 minutes, flip, and cook for another minute.

1. 4Turn off the heat and wipe excess oil from the pan with a paper towel. Add 1 Tbsp sake, 2/3 Tbsp Kikkoman Soy Sauce, and 1/2 Tbsp sugar. Return the pan to slightly low–medium heat and coat the salmon with the sauce. Transfer to a dish and let cool.

1. 5Place the spinach and shimeji from step 2 into a bowl, then mix with 1 tsp Kikkoman Soy Sauce, a pinch of sugar, and roasted sesame seeds.

1. 6In another bowl, combine the cooled bell peppers from step 3 with 1/2 tsp mustard, 1 tsp olive oil, and 1/3 tsp Kikkoman Soy Sauce, and mix well.

Pack the Bento

1. 1Fill about two-thirds of one side of the bento box with rice, leaving some space on top for the teriyaki salmon, and let it cool.

1. 2Lay the teriyaki salmon on top of the rice.

1. 3Fill half of the remaining space with the grilled bell pepper mustard salad.

1. 4Fill the rest of the space with the spinach and shimeji mushrooms with sesame sauce.

1. 5Top the rice with defrosted edamame.

*　The steps are arranged to prepare multiple dishes at once for efficiency.

With just a few easy tips, packing a bento can be fun, stress-free, and beautifully organized!

A Beginner’s Guide to Delicious Bento Recipes

“Bento” refers to Japan’s traditional lunch box. It typically includes rice, a protein, and vegetables, all neatly arranged in one container. Nutritious, colorful, and exciting to open—bento is something you can truly enjoy. Let’s get started!

• Related Information:
• What is Bento? A Beginner’s Guide to Delicious Bento Recipes

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About the Recipe Author

Yuko Ihara

Having lived in England and the U.S., Yuko Ihara is well-versed in a wide range of culinary genres. As a culinary researcher, she creates dishes for magazines and books, develops corporate menus, and also engages in product development and food consulting. She introduces easy-to-follow tips on how to make delicious food at home, emphasizing the importance of seasonality and healthful eating. When travelling, she loves to search for delicious vegetables and ingredients.

Instagram: @iharayukoo

Published on Mar 24, 2026   Written by Yuki Asanomi